2017 GS 300h inner tie rod 4k quote !!!

CatPower · October 4

My mechanic told me the inner tie rod needs changing, and Lexus dealership told me that it comes with the WHOLE steering rack ( around £4000 ! )

I asked around and everyone said it's impossible. The problem is, I can't find any aftermarket parts...

I attached below the diagram of the steering rack, maybe someone knows more, and also if there are any other models that share the same steering rack !

Thanks

Bob King · October 4

I don’t know your exact model details but this company sells genuine parts from Japan.

Go to parts catalogue at top of page and find your vehicle 👍🏻

Bob King · October 4

Link….

https://www.amayama.com/en

CatPower · October 4

Thank you. I searched using my cars VIN but funny thing is it doesn't come up as the one in your picture. So I can't find that part, because it has no part number...

I guess I'll email them and ask them personally.

Thanks anyway

Bob King · October 4

Does your chassis plate have the vehicle model code ?

This is mine just as an example ..

ColinBarber · October 4

The part isn't available on its own - assuming it even comes apart without damaging the rack assembly.

What is wrong with your one? If it hasn't been damaged by misuse (i.e. not from accident damage) then the Lexus Relax warranty should cover the replacement.

Otherwise you would be advised to find a replacement from a breakers or look to an engineering company to strip it down and repair.

CatPower · October 4

3 hours ago, Bob King said:

Does your chassis plate have the vehicle model code ?

This is mine just as an example ..

Yeap got it, it's:

AWL10R-BEXEHW

CatPower · October 4

3 hours ago, ColinBarber said:

The part isn't available on its own - assuming it even comes apart without damaging the rack assembly.

What is wrong with your one? If it hasn't been damaged by misuse (i.e. not from accident damage) then the Lexus Relax warranty should cover the replacement.

Otherwise you would be advised to find a replacement from a breakers or look to an engineering company to strip it down and repair.

I don't know if something is wrong with it, and definitely haven't had any accidents with it, but my mechanic checked it today, all-round, because MOT is due in a week, and he told me I need to change both front ball joints AND the O/S/F inner tie rod...

Checked everywhere and I actually can't find that part, like it doesn't exist... 😕

Pops1 · October 5

1 hour ago, CatPower said:

I don't know if something is wrong with it, and definitely haven't had any accidents with it, but my mechanic checked it today, all-round, because MOT is due in a week, and he told me I need to change both front ball joints AND the O/S/F inner tie rod...

Checked everywhere and I actually can't find that part, like it doesn't exist... 😕

Are you 100% sure that you need both ball joints and inner tie rod?, my 2014 with 240000mls didn't need any steering joints replaced and it's a taxi that has passed its tests every year

CatPower · October 5

7 hours ago, Pops1 said:

Are you 100% sure that you need both ball joints and inner tie rod?, my 2014 with 240000mls didn't need any steering joints replaced and it's a taxi that has passed its tests every year

Mine is a taxi too, and I'm not a mechanic but I have a clue about cars, that's why I went to my mechanic to check it. Nothing wrong with it, but I said to do a pre MOT check. And he came to me with those parts that needs changing.

Maybe he is not that great as a mechanic after all 🙄

ColinBarber · October 5

10 hours ago, CatPower said:

Checked everywhere and I actually can't find that part, like it doesn't exist

It doesn’t exist. It is only available as part of the rack.

Bob King · October 5

Okay just to put this to bed, putting your model code into Google it took me that parts site in Japan, this exploded view shows no part number for the rack end . So as Colin says it’s only available as a rack !

Couple of options ….get rack rebuilt, get a used rack ..or one that has a chance take it to Lexus for its mot, they understand these car more and may feel the play in the rack in acceptable.

Spock66 · October 5

I'd suggest get the MOT done first and hence get a second opinion and should also be covered by the Relax warranty if that is in place.

johnatg · October 5

I'm somewhat amazed. Every car I've worked on steering wise has had replaceable inner track rods, usually known as Ball Joints.

But the GS workshop manual says to replace the rack if there's a problem with them.

The joints wear - but what really wears them is turning the steering wheel with the car stationary. It puts enormous stress on the joints so don't do it. The car just needs to be creeping forward or back as you turn the wheel to dramatically decrease the stress on the joints.

You didn't do it when you had no power steering - ah - that's probably not most of you! 😐

Notamech · October 5

I am very surprised at this. Ball joints on Toyotas generally last the life of the car never heard of one going bad. Same for tie rods. Maybe get a second opinion? Unless a rodent bit the boot and the grease leaked out or something. Also i feel like there definitely would be a clunk and the steering wouldnt feel right if something were wrong.

johnatg · October 7

There is no significant/visible grease in these joints. The boots are there to protect the joints from dirt etc.

You can feel for play if the grip the boot enough to feel the joint, then get someone to turn the steering wheel, just slightly one way and the other.

messi · October 13

On 10/5/2024 at 8:04 PM, Notamech said:

I am very surprised at this. Ball joints on Toyotas generally last the life of the car never heard of one going bad. Same for tie rods. Maybe get a second opinion? Unless a rodent bit the boot and the grease leaked out or something. Also i feel like there definitely would be a clunk and the steering wouldnt feel right if something were wrong.

Are you serious? Ball joints generally last the life of the car on Toyota's? Yes they may last longer, but no part lasts forever

Notamech · October 14

12 hours ago, messi said:

Are you serious? Ball joints generally last the life of the car on Toyota's? Yes they may last longer, but no part lasts forever

Life of the car is not the same as forever. What i mean by that is that usually ball joints are one of the last things to fail on Toyotas. By that time the car is of such low value that its probably not economical to repair.

JoshW · October 14

That's a truly shocking result for what is a simple part, god knows why they don't list it as a replaceable part - perhaps as the link below alludes to that maybe the GS and RS have some bespoke engineering decision unknown to us in their rack design that warrants a full rack replacement rather. General consensus seems to be that a shorter inner tie rod and use of an extender is the way to go or the Nissan part which seems to match up dimension wise to non GSF/RCF models.

If it were me I'd remove it and find the closest approximation or fabricate one from a longer inner tie rod but can appreciate if your not mechanically inclined this may be difficult.

ClubLexus Inner Tie Rod

ClubLexus Inner Tie Rod GS350C

CatPower · October 17

So, just to confirm, the steering rack was fine, but my mechanic didn't know that when you put it on the ramp with the engine off, it will have a slight play, because of the steering rack not being hydraulic.

I was desperate and went to get a second opinion and this other mechanic, who actually know one or two things about hybrids, showed me that when the engine is on, all the direction became stiff. So nothing wrong with the steering rack, just bad diagnosis 🙄.

Regarding the ball joint, he showed me it has a small cut in the rubber, but I went like that to the MOT, and guess what, it passed, even without advisories 👌.

Imagine being someone without any experience about cars, like my mom, going to this mechanic... Would have payed 4k for a rack replacement... Shocking how people call themselves professionals 🙄

Thank you all for your tech info and support.

All good in the hood 🫡

Notamech · October 18

14 hours ago, CatPower said:

So, just to confirm, the steering rack was fine, but my mechanic didn't know that when you put it on the ramp with the engine off, it will have a slight play, because of the steering rack not being hydraulic.

I was desperate and went to get a second opinion and this other mechanic, who actually know one or two things about hybrids, showed me that when the engine is on, all the direction became stiff. So nothing wrong with the steering rack, just bad diagnosis 🙄.

Regarding the ball joint, he showed me it has a small cut in the rubber, but I went like that to the MOT, and guess what, it passed, even without advisories 👌.

Imagine being someone without any experience about cars, like my mom, going to this mechanic... Would have payed 4k for a rack replacement... Shocking how people call themselves professionals 🙄

Thank you all for your tech info and support.

All good in the hood 🫡

Id recommend sealing the cut, if it hasn't yet let in dirt, with a bit of silicone or RTV gasket maker. Else the grease could leak out and dirt could get in destroying the ball joint. All depends on how long you plan to keep the car.

Pops1 · October 21

Good result, well worth getting a second opinion

lexus.gs.uk · October 31

Hi all, are the ball joints part of the whole rack for the gs450s too or only the gs300h.. i looked up lexus site for parts and they sell ball joints separetly for the gs mk4🤔 or the gs facelifts are different design since the car in question was a 2017 model year.

Notamech · October 31

3 hours ago, lexus.gs.uk said:

Hi all, are the ball joints part of the whole rack for the gs450s too or only the gs300h.. i looked up lexus site for parts and they sell ball joints separetly for the gs mk4🤔 or the gs facelifts are different design since the car in question was a 2017 model year.

Depends what you mean by ball joints. Typically when you say ball joint you're referring to lower ball joints which is something like in the attached image. Which indeed is sold separately. I think the OP was talking about the inner tie rod for the steering not being sold separately and requiring a whole new rack.